Key Facts
- Leverkusen is four points ahead of Cologne; this head-to-head matchup therefore also has implications for the standings.
- Cologne owed its late 1-1 draw at Union Berlin to substitute Malek El Mala, who is a candidate to start up front following the absences of Dallinga and Rondic.
- Leverkusen failed to score against Marseille, but Ibrahim Maza’s movement and Patrik Schick’s presence in the box remain key offensive weapons despite the absences of Diaby and Ben Seghir.
- The bet on Cologne or a draw is based on Leverkusen’s recent losses; Bayer’s recent successes in head-to-head matchups are also part of the picture.
- The “Both Teams to Score: No” pick is supported by the fact that Cologne has scored in only three of its last five games and Leverkusen failed to score against Marseille.
Match Preview
Malek El Malas’ late equalizer saved a point for Cologne at Union Berlin. Now Leverkusen heads to the RheinEnergieStadion following a loss to Marseille in the Europa League. In Sunday’s Bundesliga match, René Wagner’s team will face Carles Martínez’s squad, which sits four points ahead of Cologne. Cologne lost a previous competitive match between the two sides in April 2026 by a score of 1–2. Since both offenses have recently gone scoreless in matches, a scoreless game is a possibility for both sides.
- Venue: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne
- Date and time: November 8, 2026, 3:30 p.m.
- Competition: Bundesliga (Matchday 9)
The bookmakers see Leverkusen as the clear favorite. However, following consecutive league losses and a European cup defeat midweek, a Cologne win or a draw is also an interesting bet. One argument in favor of under 3.5 goals is that Cologne will have to manage without Thijs Dallinga in attack. However, Leverkusen’s defensive lapses make this bet risky. At the same time, the high goal tally in the league is a key factor in the main tip: “Both Teams to Score: No.” An argument in its favor is that both teams have recently gone scoreless. Anyone who wants to place this bet using a betting bonus for new customers should check the bonus terms and conditions first.
Cologne Form & Record Check
In their most recent Bundesliga match against Union Berlin, Cologne needed Malek El Malas’s late equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw. His substitution injected more energy into what had been a cautious performance up to that point. Just a few days earlier, Cologne had defeated the same opponent 5–0 in the DFB Cup. Even the 0–0 draw in the league against Schalke had shown how difficult it is for René Wagner’s team to create scoring chances.
Since the international break, Cologne’s average expected goals per league match has dropped from 2.39 to 1.55. That dims the prospects of scoring against Leverkusen. Thijs Dallinga and Imad Rondic are out. Malek El Malas’s appearance as a substitute recently gave Cologne’s attack a boost. It remains to be seen whether the team can build on that against Leverkusen.
Leverkusen Form & Record Check
Leverkusen lost 0-1 to Marseille on Thursday in the group stage of the Europa League and struggled to find a way past their compact defense. Prior to that, they suffered a 2–4 loss to Stuttgart and a 0–3 defeat at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. For a clear bookmaker favorite, that’s a bitter run of results. While the 5–2 win over Nuremberg in the DFB Cup showcased the offense’s potential, Leverkusen’s status as the favorite on the road seems less convincing after their recent league performances.
Leverkusen has scored 18 goals in the league. A clean sheet is therefore likely to be a challenge for Cologne. However, Bayer has also conceded 16 goals, and therein lies the hosts’ opportunity. Ibrahim Maza’s movement and Patrik Schick’s threat in the penalty area remain key elements of Carles Martínez’s attack. Eliesse Ben Seghir and Moussa Diaby are out. After the short break since the Marseille game, Martínez’s options are thus limited.
Cologne – Leverkusen Head-to-Head & Statistics
In a recorded competitive match in April 2026, Leverkusen defeated Cologne 2-1. This is also worth noting when betting on Cologne or a draw. Fewer than four goals were scored in that match. That points toward Under 3.5 goals, even though the result favored Leverkusen.
